Razzak rolls out 'personal' reform proposal for party
Sunday, 1 July 2007
Awami League presidium member Abdur Razzak Saturday rolled out a "personal" reform proposal suggesting election of the leadership at all levels through secret balloting, reports BSS.
"The committees will have to be formed through secret ballots at all levels of the party," he told newsmen in a hurriedly called press conference at his Zhigatala residence.
Razzak proposed establishment of an effective "joint leadership" in the party to ensure its "democracy and accountability", so the party could take correct decisions and share the responsibility for their fates to keep the unity intact.
The Awami League leader suggested that all the party funds would be operated through bank accounts under the supervision of the party treasurer and would be spent on the basis of sector-wise allocations in annual budget sessions.
Razzak said none should hold the posts of president or general secretary of any committee for more than two consecutive terms and the party chief, presidium members, general secretary and secretariat members can not hold any public office at the same time.
At the very outset of his press conference, he called the suggestions as "personal proposals" which, he said, would be placed before the party council session for consideration.
Razzak appreciated the anti-graft clampdown and reform campaigns launched by the government saying being a "peoples' party Awami League always stood against terrorism and corruption".
"We will have to accept the today's demand for reforms to free Awami League from corruption and muscle power and to evaluate the contribution of millions of dedicated and honest party workers," he said.
bdnews24.com adds: Self-styled 'reformists' among Awami League leaders were seen indecisive about the so-called reform proposals. Who will make and present the proposals and when were anybody's guess.
Senior leaders Abdur Razzak, Mukul Bose and KM Jahangir Hossain met at Prof Abu Sayeed's home Saturday for a 40-minute parley.
Razzak hastily came out of the house only to say to reporters: "Talk to Mukul. I don't know anything". He left by rickshaw.
Soon after, Mukul Bose came out. "Reform proposals are on the final stages. They might be out any day."
He said he had talked to party colleague Amir Hossain Amu-apparently by phone. Mukul said Razzak would submit the proposals.
"It's not going to be too long," he said.
Before the meeting at Sayeed's home, Mukul told reporters: "We have almost finalised the reform proposals after discussions with party leaders. The proposals have been sent to the presidium."
On how the proposals will be submitted, Mukul said: "They will be submitted both formally and informally-informally through the media and, in line with democracy, formally to the council through the executive committee."
"We have talked to Amir Hossain Amu. We are trying hard to get him back to the country. He has been requested to return urgently. But it's his ailing wife, you know. If he cannot return, we will discuss and decide who would present the reform proposals," Mukul said.
Asked how many points are to be in the proposals, he said: "The points are not finalised yet. Many things are being altered and many added. The leaders will decide the number of proposals."
Sayeed said more discussion is a must.
"The date for proposal submission is not fixed yet." He could not specify the number of proposals either, but said the party's structure should change.
"Joint leadership means everyone is equal but one will be selected to lead the way in consultation with others," Sayeed said.
"The committees will have to be formed through secret ballots at all levels of the party," he told newsmen in a hurriedly called press conference at his Zhigatala residence.
Razzak proposed establishment of an effective "joint leadership" in the party to ensure its "democracy and accountability", so the party could take correct decisions and share the responsibility for their fates to keep the unity intact.
The Awami League leader suggested that all the party funds would be operated through bank accounts under the supervision of the party treasurer and would be spent on the basis of sector-wise allocations in annual budget sessions.
Razzak said none should hold the posts of president or general secretary of any committee for more than two consecutive terms and the party chief, presidium members, general secretary and secretariat members can not hold any public office at the same time.
At the very outset of his press conference, he called the suggestions as "personal proposals" which, he said, would be placed before the party council session for consideration.
Razzak appreciated the anti-graft clampdown and reform campaigns launched by the government saying being a "peoples' party Awami League always stood against terrorism and corruption".
"We will have to accept the today's demand for reforms to free Awami League from corruption and muscle power and to evaluate the contribution of millions of dedicated and honest party workers," he said.
bdnews24.com adds: Self-styled 'reformists' among Awami League leaders were seen indecisive about the so-called reform proposals. Who will make and present the proposals and when were anybody's guess.
Senior leaders Abdur Razzak, Mukul Bose and KM Jahangir Hossain met at Prof Abu Sayeed's home Saturday for a 40-minute parley.
Razzak hastily came out of the house only to say to reporters: "Talk to Mukul. I don't know anything". He left by rickshaw.
Soon after, Mukul Bose came out. "Reform proposals are on the final stages. They might be out any day."
He said he had talked to party colleague Amir Hossain Amu-apparently by phone. Mukul said Razzak would submit the proposals.
"It's not going to be too long," he said.
Before the meeting at Sayeed's home, Mukul told reporters: "We have almost finalised the reform proposals after discussions with party leaders. The proposals have been sent to the presidium."
On how the proposals will be submitted, Mukul said: "They will be submitted both formally and informally-informally through the media and, in line with democracy, formally to the council through the executive committee."
"We have talked to Amir Hossain Amu. We are trying hard to get him back to the country. He has been requested to return urgently. But it's his ailing wife, you know. If he cannot return, we will discuss and decide who would present the reform proposals," Mukul said.
Asked how many points are to be in the proposals, he said: "The points are not finalised yet. Many things are being altered and many added. The leaders will decide the number of proposals."
Sayeed said more discussion is a must.
"The date for proposal submission is not fixed yet." He could not specify the number of proposals either, but said the party's structure should change.
"Joint leadership means everyone is equal but one will be selected to lead the way in consultation with others," Sayeed said.